Reclaiming Black Male Leadership: Restoring Balance in the Black Community
Reclaiming Black Male Leadership: Restoring Balance in the Black Community PART 1
1. God’s Call for Men to Lead with Strength & Courage
1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
🔹 Men must be strong, alert, and take responsibility for their faith and leadership.
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
🔹 Men are commanded to be fearless leaders, knowing that God is with them.
2. Rejecting Excuses & Taking Action
James 1:22 (KJV)
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
🔹 Faith without action is meaningless—men must lead by example, not just words.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (KJV)
"He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."
🔹 Waiting for perfect conditions leads to inaction—men must act regardless of challenges.
3. The Responsibility of Men to Provide & Protect
1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
🔹 A man who refuses to provide for his family is failing in his spiritual duty.
Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)
"A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."
🔹 Men must build wealth and a legacy for future generations.
4. Rejecting Weakness & Passive Leadership
1 Kings 2:2 (KJV)
"I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man."
🔹 Men are commanded to be strong and take responsibility.
Proverbs 24:10 (KJV)
"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."
🔹 A weak man crumbles under pressure—real leaders rise in difficult times.
5. Holding Other Men Accountable
Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
🔹 Strong men hold each other accountable and push one another toward greatness.
Galatians 6:5 (KJV)
"For every man shall bear his own burden."
🔹 Each man is responsible for his own actions—no excuses.
6. Restoring the Family & Community
Malachi 4:6 (KJV)
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
🔹 Men must reconnect with their children and rebuild strong families.
Nehemiah 4:14 (KJV)
"Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
🔹 Men must fight for their families, communities, and future generations.
Conclusion: No More Excuses—Take Action
The Bible makes it clear: Black men must reclaim leadership, reject victimhood, and take action.
✅ Lead with strength and wisdom.
✅ Provide for and protect your family.
✅ Hold yourself and other men accountable.
✅ Reject passivity and build generational wealth.
🚀 God has called men to be leaders—will they answer the call?
"The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home."
— Confucius
Introduction: The Decline of Black Male Leadership
For centuries, the Black man has been the backbone of his family and community. However, over the last 50+ years, systemic forces, social shifts, and personal shortcomings have weakened his role.
Today, Black men face numerous challenges, including:
❌ High incarceration rates
❌ Unstable family structures
❌ Economic disenfranchisement
❌ Negative media portrayals
However, the true leader does not accept victimhood—he takes action. The restoration of Black men’s leadership is not only possible but necessary for the survival of the Black community.
This article explores:
✅ The historical destruction of Black male leadership
✅ How media, government, and culture undermined the Black man
✅ The role of Black men in rebuilding families and communities
✅ Practical steps for reclaiming authority, respect, and success
I. The Systemic Erosion of Black Men’s Power
The decline of Black male leadership was not accidental—it was engineered through:
1. Mass Incarceration: The New Slavery
The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery except for criminals. Since then, Black men have been disproportionately incarcerated under laws designed to keep them enslaved by another name.
Statistics:
Black men make up 6.5% of the U.S. population but 40% of the prison population (NAACP).
1 in 3 Black men will be incarcerated in his lifetime (Sentencing Project).
The 1994 Crime Bill, backed by both political parties, increased Black male imprisonment by 500%.
Black men make up 6.5% of the U.S. population but 40% of the prison population (NAACP).
1 in 3 Black men will be incarcerated in his lifetime (Sentencing Project).
The 1994 Crime Bill, backed by both political parties, increased Black male imprisonment by 500%.
2. The Welfare State: Replacing Black Fathers
In the 1960s and 70s, the U.S. government incentivized single motherhood by offering welfare benefits only to women without a man in the home. This:
❌ Encouraged Black women to push men out of households.
❌ Made government the new provider, replacing Black fathers.
3. Media Demonization of Black Men
Hollywood, music, and news outlets glorify the thug and the deadbeat dad, but rarely show strong Black fathers, husbands, and businessmen.
❌ TV & Film: Shows like Empire, Power, and Snowfall glorify criminals over family men.
❌ Hip-Hop Culture: Lyrics glorify materialism, misogyny, and violence.
4. Economic Disenfranchisement
Despite the Civil Rights Movement, Black men remain economically disadvantaged.
Statistics:
For every Black woman with a college degree, only 51 Black men have one (Brookings Institute).
Unemployment rates for Black men are consistently double that of Black women (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Black median wealth is projected to be $0 by 2053 if trends continue (Forbes).
For every Black woman with a college degree, only 51 Black men have one (Brookings Institute).
Unemployment rates for Black men are consistently double that of Black women (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Black median wealth is projected to be $0 by 2053 if trends continue (Forbes).
5. The Breakdown of the Black Family
A nation is only as strong as its families, and today:
❌ Over 70% of Black children are born into single-mother households (CDC).
❌ Black men are seen as disposable rather than essential to family life.
These forces have worked against Black men—but excuses will not restore leadership. Action will.
II. The Black Man’s Role in Rebuilding Leadership
1. Reclaim Masculinity & Reject Weakness
Black men must reject the media's definition of masculinity (violence, hypersexuality) and embrace real masculinity:
✅ Strength – Physical, mental, and spiritual resilience.
✅ Leadership – Taking responsibility for family and community.
✅ Honor – Living with integrity and self-respect.
🚨 Solution: Seek mentors, train physically and mentally, and never let society define you.
2. Restore the Black Family
A strong family unit is the foundation of leadership.
✅ Prioritize Marriage: Black men must commit to Black women who value family.
✅ Raise Sons with Discipline: Young Black boys need structure, guidance, and role models.
✅ Stop Creating Fatherless Homes: A child needs his father as much as his mother.
🚨 Solution: Find a worthy wife, lead your household, and mentor younger men.
3. Build Economic Power
A man without economic independence has no power. Black men must:
✅ Become entrepreneurs and investors.
✅ Support Black-owned businesses.
✅ Teach financial literacy to the next generation.
Wealth Statistics:
Black families have 1/10th the wealth of white families (Federal Reserve).
Black male entrepreneurs are 3x less likely to get business loans than white men (Harvard Business Review).
Black families have 1/10th the wealth of white families (Federal Reserve).
Black male entrepreneurs are 3x less likely to get business loans than white men (Harvard Business Review).
🚨 Solution: Start businesses, invest in real estate, and circulate Black wealth.
4. Demand Respect & Set Standards
Black men must:
✅ Set moral and ethical standards for themselves.
✅ Hold other Black men accountable.
✅ Expect respect from Black women and not tolerate disrespect.
🚨 Solution: Refuse to entertain destructive behaviors—lead by example.
5. Strengthen Spiritual & Community Leadership
Black men must reclaim leadership in the church and the community, guiding the next generation.
🚨 Solution: Mentor young Black boys, support community projects, and protect Black women and children.
III. Solutions & Action Plan: The Path Forward
Short-Term Solutions (1–5 Years)
✅ Educate Yourself – Read, study history, and gain financial literacy.
✅ Develop a Brotherhood – Surround yourself with other strong Black men.
✅ Reject Victimhood – No one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves.
Long-Term Solutions (5+ Years)
✅ Rebuild the Black Family – Encourage strong marriages and fatherhood.
✅ Create Generational Wealth – Invest in businesses and real estate.
✅ Redefine Black Masculinity – Show the world what a strong Black man truly is.
Conclusion: The Time for Talk Is Over—Black Men Must Take Action
The Black man must reclaim his throne—not as a ruler over women, but as a protector, provider, and leader.
🚀 The Future Depends on This Choice:
1️⃣ Continue being passive and accept destruction.
2️⃣ Rise up, reclaim leadership, and restore our legacy.
The choice is yours—but know that the future of the Black nation depends on it.
KELVIN L. STUBBLEFIELD IS A GRADUATE OF Middle Tennessee State University IN 1983.
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